FASTag is a pre-loaded service that was initiated in India as an automatic toll payment service. It also provides a seamless drive along highways without having to stop for toll booths, and tolls are automatically deducted from the vehicle’s FASTag wallet, when the vehicle is registered, linked, and recharged.

Unfortunately for FASTag users, serious new scams threaten to siphon off money from their FASTag account (wallet). For example, there are instances of cybercriminals taking people’s money from their FASTag account, and the criminals are using fake alerts to take this money.

New FASTag Scams

Cybercriminals are actively targeting FASTag users by sending fake SMS and email alerts. These messages claim that the user’s FASTag account is suspended or that they must complete KYC verification. The scammers then instruct users to click a malicious link.

Unfortunately, many users are clicking these links, giving scammers instant access to their FASTag wallets.

These alerts look genuine, but scammers create them to steal personal information and drain money from unsuspecting FASTag users. The scammers use this information or FASTag credentials to empty the user’s wallet without the user’s consent.

Individuals More At Risk
The only individuals at risk are people that recharge and keep a balance in their FASTag wallet account. People who are using FASTag and travelling frequently usually keep a higher balance in their FASTag account, making their account a better target for hackers.

Is the Annual FASTag Pass Safe?

Yes, recently the government launched an annual FASTag pass for ₹3,000. The pass is valid for either 200 trips OR 1 year, whichever first.
Users with the annual pass, do not have to maintain a wallet balance, therefore thieves cannot pilfer funds from an account which has a zero balance.
So if you have switched to the annual pass, you are relatively safe from scams.

How to Stay Safe from FASTag Scam?

The following is provided as a very important guideline to ensure your FASTag wallet is as safe as possible from scammers:

• Never share your OTPs, passwords or PINs with anyone, and this includes customer service agents!
• Use your FASTag account through the official website and/or official app ONLY to update your Account or top up.
• Never click links in SMSs or in emails or download anything from tags that are odd to you.
• Do not scan a QR code you’ve never seen before, especially appeared from a stranger or an unverified source.
• Check your FASTag Account balance on a regular basis to catch abnormalities early on – you may catch scammers.
• Always report fraud to your FASTag provider and/or action from the cybercrime helpline ASAP!
• Staying vigilant and following your instincts can prevent you from losing money and may even assist in stopping fraud.

Also Read: Recharge FASTag Instantly With Phonepe, Gpay Easily: Follow Simple Steps

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